Protector for rail ties



G B. CUTTING PROTECTOR FOR RAIL TIES Apr. 3, 1923.

Filed May 12, 1919 l l I 1 Patented Apr. 3, 1923.

UlTE

TATE.

PROTECTOR FOR RAIL TIES.

Application filed May 12,

To all whom it m'fag concern-1 Be it known that I, Gnoncn B. CUTTING, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVorcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new. and useful Protector for Rail Ties, of which the following is a specification The principal object of this invention is to provide for adequately protecting rail way ties from the settling ofmoisture therein and therefore greatly prolonging their ,life. The invention also is designed for securing this result in a simple and inexpensive way that will not interfere with the gripping qualities of the device to which. it is applied. The invention is designed partially as; an improvement over my Patent No. 1,294,778, issued Feb. 18, 1919. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited however to that particular form of spike retainer or to the use of any retainer.

The usual driven spikes are faulty because the rail thrust forces them out of plumb and this enlarges the hole in the tie. 'Water therefore is ordinarily able to enter and having entered there is no way for it to dry out quickly. It causes quick decay, because it penetrates to the very heart of the tie.

By using this invention either in combination with my previous invention with which it is illustrated, or without that, the penetration of water into the tie is prevented. If it is used with that invention the necessary spaces in the hole at the sides of the spike are prevented from allowing the penetration of water into the tie.

Reference is to be had to the accompany ing drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a rail, the tie on which it rests, and a preferred embodiment of this invention applied thereto, the line of section coming on the line 11 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the retainer showing the spike in section under the head, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. l. k

In order toprevent access of moisture to the interior of the tie I provide the cover plate with two perforations at oppo site sides of the spike 11 and I also, in accordance with the preferred form, provide a recess 31 all around three sides of the spike and communicating with the two per- 1919. Serial No. 286,502.

forations 30'. These recesses extend all the way through the plate. Underneath this plate 20 in accordance with my above mentioned patent there are shown. two spaces at 12 on opposite sides of the spike which are present on accounto-f the fact that the channelled spike retainers '13 are preferably placed in a round hole bored in tl1eLtie 9 which supports the rail 10. These spaces left after the spike isdriven afford a convenient way, without adding any complications tothe form of the retainer shown in my above mentioned patent, for protecting the tie. This I do by pouring these spaces full-of hot pitch or other water proof material through the openings 30. which I pro ride inthe retaining plate 20. The pitch flows through to the bottom of the hole in the tie, fills both sides, surrounds the opposite edges 34 of the retainers 13 and also substantially surrounds the spike itself. At the top the pitch extends over the tops of the retaining Fig. 1, and thus seals surfaces of these moisture. is secured that prevents moisture from reaching the heart of the tie throughthe bored hole 12. This greatly prolongs the life of the tie. Excessive rusting of retaining plates and spikes is also prevented.

It will be seen therefore that by this invention another fault of the ordinary rail spike is avoided and the retaining device which is the subject of my above mentioned patent is further improved.

Although I have illustrated and described the invention as applied to a particular type of spike retainer and shown it in a specific form I am aware of the fact that modifications can be made therein and that it can be applied to other types of retainers without departing from the scope of my invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited in either of these respects, but what I do claim 1s: 1

1. A protecting device for a rail tie comprising a plate located vertically in stationary position in a vertical round hole in the tie and provided with a channel extending longitudinally along its inner surface for the reception of a. spike, and a body of pitch poured into the hole extendingvto the bottom thereof on two sides of the spike and the entire exposed plates against access of plates 13 as shown at 35 in Therefore a water tight device extending over the top of said plate so as to bottom thereof on two sides of the spike seal the hole, plate and spike against the and extending over the top of said plate so entrance of moisture. as to seal the hole, plate and spike.

2. A protecting device for a rail tie corn- In testimony whereof I have hereunto afprising a plate located in a hole in the tie fixed my signature.

for the reception of a spike and :1 body of pitch poured into the hole extending to the GEORGE B. CUTTING. 

